[Illustration: THE SNAKE BUZZARD (_Circaëtus brachydactylus_, or
_Circaëtus Gallicus_).]
The SNAKE BUZZARD (_Circaëtus brachydactylus_, or _Circaëtus Gallicus_)
is from twenty-six to twenty-eight inches long, and from sixty-six to
sixty-eight across the wings; the latter measure eighteen, and the tail
nine inches. The upper part of the body of this bird is brown, the
feathers upon the head and nape pale brown, tipped with a still lighter
shade; the quills are blackish brown, edged with two borders, one being
white, the other pale brown, and marked with an irregular black line; the
tail is brown, broadly tipped with white, and adorned with three black
stripes; the brow, throat, and cheeks are whitish, and streaked with
delicate brown lines; the crop and upper part of the breast are bright
light brown; the rest of the under part of the body is white, with a few
brown spots. The large eyes are surmounted with a ring of wool-like down,
and the cheek-stripes are covered with bristles; the eye is yellow, the
beak blueish black, and the cere and feet light blue. The young differ
but slightly from the adult birds.
Until the beginning of the present century this Buzzard was almost
entirely unknown, but it is now met with throughout all the countries of
Southern Europe. Its habitat, however, extends beyond that continent;
indeed, it often wanders far into Northern Africa, and Jerdon mentions
it as common in India. In Central Europe it is a summer bird, appearing
about May, and departing early in the autumn; its disposition is
extremely quiet and indolent, and as it usually prefers to seek shelter
in the recesses of forests, is not very frequently seen; in Hindostan,
on the contrary (where it breeds), it inhabits the more open country,
whether the latter be dry or marshy. In Northern Africa it flies about
during the winter in parties of from six to twelve, often settling on
such rocks as are near rivers, but more generally upon the open and
barren steppes; it has also been known to breed in North-western Africa.
The Snake Buzzards, according to our own experience, although quiet and
idle, are exceedingly quarrelsome while occupied with the care of their
young; at other times they are remarkably timid, and often utter loud
cries if disturbed. Those we saw in Africa would remain perched when we
approached, and glower at us with their large eyes in a most unearthly
manner, without attempting to save themselves by flight. It is only early
in the morning and late in the evening that they are seen upon trees,
the entire day being spent in searching after prey. While thus employed
nothing can exceed the deliberation with which they move; indeed, it
would be difficult to find in any other members of the feathered race
such a picture of indolence as they present, while they sit motionless
at the edge of the water, or flap their way ponderously through the air.
Towards its own kind this bird exhibits many most unamiable qualities,
for so greedy and envious is it, that should one of its brethren prove
fortunate in the chase, a hard-fought battle is sure to ensue, in order
to compel the possessor of the coveted morsel ignominiously to resign its
prize, and during such encounters the combatants often use their claws
with so much effect that, powerless to fly, both fall together to the
ground. About noon the Snake Buzzard appears upon the river banks, over
which it hops much after the fashion of the Raven. An isolated tree is
usually selected for a sleeping-place, as from such a situation the bird
can command a view of the surrounding country.
The food of this species consists principally of reptiles, though it also
devours large quantities of fish, which, should the water be shallow,
it readily obtains; according to Jerdon, it also consumes rats, small
birds, crabs, and the larger kinds of insects. The manner in which
this bird gives battle to serpents has been thus described: "A young
individual in my possession," says Mecklenburg, "would dart down upon
any snake, however large or fierce, and after seizing it with its claws
behind the head, bite it vigorously several times through the nape; the
reptile, thus paralysed, was then swallowed by degrees, commencing with
the head, each new mouthful being prepared by a preliminary bite through
the backbone. During one forenoon I have seen my bird kill and devour no
fewer than three large snakes, one of which measured nearly three feet,
and was very thick. I have never known an instance in which it tore its
prey to pieces before swallowing it. The scales were usually cast up
again undigested." Elliot mentions having seen one of these Buzzards
completely enveloped in the folds of a huge poisonous snake, the head
of which, however, was held so firmly in the bird's beak, that all its
efforts to free itself were fruitless. The thick coat of feathers in
which this species is enveloped is its only protection against the deadly
fangs of its victims; recent experiments have proved that its system is
not, as was once supposed, proof against their poison.
The eyrie of the Snake Buzzard is built about June; it is flat in shape,
and formed of branches and twigs; the interior is lined with green
leaves, and green branches are also fastened outside to protect the
little family from the rays of the sun. It is not uncommon for a pair of
these birds to return year after year to the same eyrie. They lay one or
two eggs of an oval shape, with very thin, coarse shells, of a blueish
white colour. Both parents participate in the labour of incubation,
sitting alternately upon the eggs for about twenty-eight days. We are
told, on reliable authority, that, if molested, the mother bird removes
her young to another place. The Snake Buzzard is easily tamed if taken
early from the nest.
* * * * *
The CRESTED BUZZARDS (_Spilornis_) are a group of very remarkable birds,
inhabiting the most southern countries of Asia and Africa. Such species
as we are acquainted with are of considerable size, and powerfully built;
their pointed wings, in which the fourth quill is the longest, extend to
the middle of the tail; the latter is of moderate length, and rounded at
the extremity; the tarsus is high, and the talons short and sharp; the
beak, which is straight at the base, curves abruptly towards its tip; the
margin of the upper mandible is without teeth, whilst that of the lower
one is excised near the extremity. The plumage is thick, and prolonged
into a crest at the back of the head.